May 31, 2022
Kid-Friendly Activities on the Peaceful Side
Are you ready to reconnect and relax on your family vacation? If you’re looking to get away from theme parks and crowds- we have the family vacation for you. Float down the Little River, stand in awe of an underground waterfall, learn about East Tennessee history and nature, and maybe spot a bear or two- here on the Peaceful Side of the Smokies.
The Institute at Tremont
The mission behind the Institute at Tremont is to offer hands-on outdoor discovery experiences accessible to everyone. They have succeeded and flourished with programs for everyone from young children to adults and educators to the curious public. Check out all of the kid-friendly activities they plan yearly.
Summer Camps
- Leave the planning to the Tremont Institute and experience the Great Smoky Mountains in a structured and educational environment. Camps start as young as age four through high-school ages, along with family and adult camps, with themes like discovery camps, science camps, and backpacking camps. They even host a Firefly camp that allows a parent or grandparent to accompany children four to nine for a one, two, or three-night adventure.
Citizen Science Programs
- Tremont offers volunteer programs throughout the year like monarch tagging, bird-banding, salamander monitoring, phenology tracking, and otter spotting. These programs allow the public to gather hands-on experience with actual scientific research.
Spending the Day at Tremont
- Tremont Institute is located inside the Townsend entrance of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, near Cades Cove. Visitors are welcome to hike the trails in the area any time the park is open. Please stop by the Tremont Visitor’s Center at 9275 Tremont Road for helpful information about the valley, and check out our selection of Smokies and Tremont merchandise. Proceeds from purchases in the gift store support Tremont’s mission to connect more people with nature.
For more information on the wealth of programs, camps, and volunteer opportunities, check out the Institute at Tremont’s website.
Tubing on the Little River
Add a lazy little adventure to your family vacation by tubing down the Little River. Beat the summer heat and create memories your kids will never forget as you spend an epic day letting mother nature guide you through her gorgeous waterways. The Peaceful Side offers several tubing businesses that provide various packages, including drop-off and pick-up. Click on the links below to learn more about kid-friendly activities at each location.
Kid-Friendly Hikes
Laurel Falls
This trail is one of the most popular in the national park and is excellent for younger children because of its paved path to the waterfall. The hike is only 2.5 miles up and back and has an 80-foot high Laurel Falls named for mountain laurel, an evergreen shrub that blooms along the trail and near the falls in May. There is a small pool at the bottom of the falls, so remember to watch your adventurous kids.
Schoolhouse Gap Trails
This 3.8-mile trail is a gentle climb that runs along a creek and is a visual feast for wildflower lovers. The stream is a perfect way for the kids to cool down as parents catch glimpses of the mountain peaks through the forest of trees.
The Trail to Abrams Falls
Abram Falls Trail starts in Cades Cove and covers 5.2 miles by the time you make the trip. The trail takes you across several footbridges until you reach the falls that drop 20 feet down a rocky slope. Listed as a moderate hike, this is perfect for older children but easy enough for parents to backpack the family’s youngest members.
Townsend River Walk and Arboretum
Because of the hard work of the Tuckaleechee Garden Club, this 1/2 mile nature trail is well-maintained, highlighting flowers, trees, and the Little River. Join us for free, guided tours on Wednesday, June 8, 2022, and Saturday, June 11, 2022.
Maryville-Alcoa Greenway
This greenway runs close to the city and winds its way through schools, shopping centers, parks, and places to stop for a picnic. There are plenty of places to take a break from the trail, perfect for when your kids need something new to keep them occupied. The trail passes through vast expanses of greenery and over several tiny hills, which are sure to delight the younger members of your family as you walk along. It’s the perfect hike for those who want to enjoy a nice walk without having to be out in the woods.
Tuckaleechee Caverns
Voted the highest-ranking cave or cavern in the Eastern United States, Tuckaleechee Caverns is a great all-weather option for your Smoky Mountain Vacation. The cave is open from March to November and will give your family a great escape from the summer heat or one of those pesky pop-up thunderstorms for which East Tennessee is known. It will provide you with a break from the weather and give you a unique glimpse beneath the mountains and into a national treasure.
Cades Cove
Consider adding Cades Cove to your kid-friendly activities in the Great Smoky Mountains. Cades Cove offers a visual historical experience of the Peaceful Side, allowing exploration of churches and cabin sites of Appalachain life dating back to the European settlers when the Cherokee were inhabiting the area. You can also bring along your bikes or drive around the loop, stopping to check everything out along the way. If you get lucky, you may see the park’s treasured black bears. But if you do, remember to keep your distance and admire their majesty from afar.
